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IAF’s New Basic Trainer Inches Closer as Defence Ministry Evaluates Flight Trial Results

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India Defence Online, New Delhi – The long-awaited induction of the basic trainer aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF) is nearing fruition as the flight trials for the same have been completed. According to sources, the reports of the trials are with the Indian Defence Ministry and they are assessing the flight evaluations made by the IAF which will lead to the negotiation of the contract. The flight trials comprised of observing the details like flight characteristics, handling qualities, fuel consumption, and duration of sorties, ease of handling and operations, and available instrumentation.

The IAF plans to procure 75 basic trainers in a deal close to $1 billion. The Indian Defence Ministry’s initial Request for Proposal in early 2010 sought the purchase of 75 aircraft “off-the-shelf” and another 106 to be built by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) under a joint venture arrangement. The current contenders are the Hawker Beechcraft T-6C Texan II, the Grob G-120, the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) KT-1, the Pilatus PC-7 and EADS’ PZL-130 Orlik.

The IAF has been without a basic trainer aircraft since July 2009 when its 125 strong HPT-32 Deepak trainer aircraft were grounded following several crashes and engine failures. HPT-32 Deepak trainers are manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and it was established that the ‘Deepak’ HPT-32 has two major design flaws. When it flies upside-down the flow of fuel gets blocked, shutting the engine and since the Deepak HPT-32 cannot glide without engine power for even a short distance, a serious crash in inevitable. The IAF has been without a basic trainer since the HPT-32 fleet was grounded and trainee pilots are training directly on the Stage-2 advanced jet trainer (AJT) Hawk-132. Continued…

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By admin – March 1, 2011

BRAZIL’S EMBRAER UNVIELS FIRST EMB 145 PLATFORM FOR INDIAN AWACS

The Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer has unveiled the first of the three EMB-145 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) platforms recently to Indian government representatives at a ceremony in San Jose dos Campos in Brazil. India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) had ordered three EMB-145 AEW&C as testbeds for an indigenously developed AEW&C system.

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According to sources, the first aircraft will be flight tested at Embraer before its scheduled delivery to India in August. This aircraft will be equipped with the antenna structure for the phased-array radar under development by DRDO’s Bangalore-based Center for Air Borne Systems (CABS). Once the aircraft is received by India, the integration of the AEW&C mission system involving the active, electronically scanned array radar, electronic support measures, satellite communications, datalinks and operator workstations will begin. The integration will be done by CABS and by 2012, the aircraft with complete integration can take to the skies.

The EMB-145 is based on Brazil’s regional jet called ERJ 145 and it contains varied features including an in-flight refueling system, SATCOM capability, a significant increase in electrical and cooling capacities, and a comprehensive set of aerodynamic and structural changes. The Indian aircraft will be modified and besides the above-mentioned features, there will be a new electrical generation system with a second auxiliary power unit for the mission suite and a new cooling system. These additional features would compliment the electronic systems created by DRDO and help the overall integration of the aircraft. Continued…

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By admin – February 28, 2011

Defence Minister Announces Phasing out of MiG Fighters

India Defence Online, New Delhi –The Indian Defence Minister AK Anthony has indicated that the majority of the MiG fighter aircraft in the Armed Forces will be phased out by 2017 and will be replaced by modern fighter aircraft. AK Anthony added that the phasing out will begin by 2014.

At a Parliamentary session in New Delhi, the Defence Minister assured that advanced aircraft like Su-30 MKI, Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) and the Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) will be the new replacement for the ageing fleet of MiGs in the country. Even the Indian Air Force (IAF) has formulated a focused plan to phase out the obsolescent aircraft that has been causing fatal mishaps.

As per the Defence Ministry, there will be a major level of fighter aircraft procurements in the coming years which will dynamically improve the flight safety of the pilots as well as compliment the decisive edge and lethality of air power in the IAF and other forces. At present, the IAF maintains a mix of old and new aircraft in its fleet and each plane has a life span of 30 to 40 years. Continued…

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By admin – February 25, 2011

Indian Army Probes Howitzer Trial Report Leak

Canadian soldiers fire an M777 155mm Howitzer ...

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India Defence Online, New Delhi –The Indian Army has come under the scanner once again following the recent mysterious leaking of a classified report related to the field trial of the M777 ultra-light Howitzer that was concluded recently. The pages of the classified report that have leaked contain evidence that the M-777 howitzer had failed the field trials concluded in December 2010.

The company that now own Bofors, the BAE Systems of US, makes the ultra light Howitzer M777 which is to be procured through a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route by India from the US. The acquisition is to be made through the government-to- government FMS route and is worth over $647 million for 10 regiments (160) guns. However, according to the leaked pages of the report, the Howitzer gun appears to have failed the recent trials on several parameters. The various fronts in which the M777 Howitzer gun has failed include its compatibility, its air portability trials and the sighting system that deals with night vision, according to sources. However, despite these shortcomings, the Howitzer was cleared by the Indian Army until the leaked pages revealed another story altogether.

The Indian Army claims that the report on the US gun has been leaked by vested interests to put the acquisition into controversy. The Army Headquarters has ordered the Director General Military Intelligence (DGMI) to conduct an inquiry. The high-level probe into the leak of field trial report of M777 ultra light howitzer has brought some recently retired Artillery Officers under scanner. In addition, their liaisons with a rival company that had missed the contract earlier were being scrutinised. Continued…

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By admin – February 23, 2011

TATA Group Forms JV with Lockheed; Makes Foray into Aerospace

India Defence Online, New Delhi — Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), subsidiary of the Indian major Tata Group, has signed an agreement with the US major Lockheed Martin for the formation of the joint venture firm called Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures. The new venture aims to build aero-structures for Lockheed’s C-130 aircraft in India. Lockheed Martin has already received an order for six C130J Super Hercules tactical airlift transport aircraft from India and has supplied one aircraft until now.

The joint venture between these two industry giants will culminate into a facility that will be export-oriented and the products manufactured will form a key aircraft structure that Lockheed Martin will integrate and complete for its global C-130 aircraft customers. This joint venture with Tata Advanced Limited is Lockheed Martin’s first in India and has been established as a strategic element of Lockheed Martin’s global supply chain besides making its presence felt in India.

The joint venture firm Tata Lockheed Martin Aero-structures will have a 74 per cent holding by Tata Advanced Systems while remaining 26 per cent shareholding would be owned by the Lockheed Martin. The Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures facility will come up near the Hyderabad airport later this year. Continued…

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By admin – February 22, 2011